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AKS POST COVID-19 ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION: Exploring Solid Minerals as a viable alternative source of Revenue for Akwa Ibom State.

Ime Uwah

Following the efforts of His Excellency Governor Udom Emmanuel, to seek alternative sources of revenue for Akwa Ibom State, the Chairman of the Post Covid-19 Economic Reconstruction Implementation committee (ERIMC), Professor Akpan Ekpo, today met with the Honourable Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite, with a view to unlocking opportunities in the state’s solid mineral space. 

Akwa Ibom State is blessed with Solid Mineral Resources such as Clay of various types, Silica/Glass Sand, gravels, limestone, laterite, Uranium, Salt, etc. and if fully developed, will create massive job opportunities as well as immense revenue for the State.

The Chairman solicited the support of the Federal Ministry in the following areas: 

1. Validation of the commercial nature of minerals in Akwa Ibom state.

2. Inclusion of Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria’s geo-data system in order to make the Sector attractive to investors 

3. Carrying out extensive surveys through various geological surveys in collaboration with the Government of Akwa Ibom State to further discover other mineral deposits that may be present in commercial quantities in the State.

4. Capacity building and training of staff.

The Honorable Minister was very appreciative of the interest of the State and assured the team that Akwa Ibom State would be included in the second phase of Nigeria’s geological survey. He also accepted an invitation to visit His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel soon to discuss further collaborative opportunities in this area.
Prof Ekpo was accompanied by Chief Uno Uno, Hon. commissioner for Transport and Solid Minerals, Udom Inoyo, Member, AKS Economic Reconstruction Implementation committee ), Professor Linus Asuquo (DG, National Metallurgical Development center) and Emem Ibokette, Director Solid Minerals, Akwa Ibom state Ministry.

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